The Climate Question

Artificial clouds, giant mirrors in space, fertilising the ocean with iron… these are just some of the ideas to artificially cool our planet if we can’t reduce our emissions fast enough to avoid climate catastrophe. These geoengineering solutions form part of a Plan B for the planet in which science and technology is used to overcome the worst effects of climate change.

But such plans are not without controversy. The scientific community is divided on geoengineering, with many scientists and environmentalists saying that technology is dangerous and risky. A planned balloon flight to test artificial cloud-creating technology in Sweden was recently cancelled following fierce opposition from environmental groups. Is tampering with nature to reverse climate change too big a risk?

• Presented by Neal Razzell and Graihagh Jackson
• Produced by Jordan Dunbar for BBC World Service

Publicity contact: EM3